Murder Comes to Call

By: Jessica Ellicott

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The lean years following World War I can lead to desperate acts - even in the quiet English village of Walmsley Parva. When a series of burglaries seems to culminate in murder, brash American Beryl Helliwell and proper, buttoned-up Brit Edwina Davenport (and her dog, Crumpet) are eager to solve the case in Jessica Ellicott's fourth Beryl and Edwina Mystery....

World-renowned adventuress Beryl Helliwell cited for "reckless" motoring? Why, the very idea! Constable Gibbs just has it in for her. The solution? Charm the magistrate, of course. But days after Beryl's appearance before the bench, she and Edwina pay a visit to the magistrate only to find his home ransacked and the man himself lying dead at the bottom of a grand staircase.

Given the state of the house, his death appears to be connected to a rash of robberies in the village. Declan O'Shea, the handsome helper Beryl hired to assist their aged gardener Simpkins, falls under suspicion after having had his own run-in with the magistrate - but mostly, Beryl believes, because he's Irish.

While unofficially looking into the magistrate's murder, the ladies are hired in their official capacity as private inquiry agents to find census reports that have gone missing. Is someone trying to hide something from the census takers - and could that theft have anything to do with the magistrate's death? Beryl and Edwina are once again in fine form as they engage in a little reckless sleuthing to bring these assorted mysteries to a speedy conclusion....

©2020 Jessica Ellicott (P)2020 Recorded Books

Great Sociology but slow as a story

I have enjoyed this series before and was interested in seeing what the next adventure would be. However, this installment spends more time with inner thoughts/reflections of the characters than the mystery/story. I listen when I run - about a 9 minute mile pace - and one run the inner contemplations of Edwin lasted almost a mile and half. The real story doesn't begin until Chapter 5 and then only minimally. I would prefer less commentary on social life during this period piece and more story development.

Walmsley Parva continues to amaze

The principal characters are two old classmates who meet up during prohibition. England offers Beryl Helliwell a port to hold up in and reconnect with friend Edwina (aka Ed). Both are tight on funds yet this never stops Beryl. Their Inquiry business is doing well and is asked to find the Census forms which were lost. Along the way, they solve the recent rash of burglaries and a murder.

The narrator's excellent performance adds warmth and color to each book in the series. Barbara Rosenblat knows how to define the characters and; imho, provides emotional context to the material.

Jessica Ellicott is very talented storyteller. While each book can stand alone, I still recommend starting at the beginning to fully enjoy this cozy series.

Excellent!

This book is the best in the series so far. I look forward to listening to the next audio book when it comes out.

The best in this series.

This book was definitely the best of all four in this series. I found the writing to be excellent with great characters and awesome narration. Hopefully there will me more in this series in the near future. Very enjoyable read. Highly recommend.

Loved the story and narration.

I am transported into a delightful book series that must continue. More please, book 5? Christine

Love This Narration & Series

Very realistic and not easy to follow, which is good for a mystery!

I had a lot of suspects as well!

Did not disappoint!

I love this series couldn’t wait for this one to come out in audio. It did not disappoint and with Barbara Rosenblatt narrating, it was the perfect listen. Hopefully there will be another!

another good one

This series is so good. The setting, the characters, the mysteries, the writing - all wonderful. And Barbara Rosenblat is the best.

Just Loved This Series

I just wish there were more in this series! Beryl and Edwina will color my conscience for quite a while in the future!

Easy, well-written and well-narrated cozy

The diverting adventures of two female “inquiry agents” in a post WWI English village continues. Despite its slow start, the well -written story held my interest throughout. Barbara Rosenblat’s narration is (as always) wonderful.